. >>> prime minister abe and barack obama are expected to meet in washington. u.s. ties gave us his perspective on the important issues facing the alliance. michael green served on the white house national security council as director of asian affairs under the bush administration. he spoke with nhk world. >> strategically, the u.s. and japan have a common interest in setting a high standard for transparency, rule of law and market access. >> michael green believes japan has a lot to gain by joining negotiations for the transpacific partnership free trade agreement or ttp. he says it would improve the country's standing with the u.s. and within asia. and he says it would send a message that prime minister shinzo abe and his liberal democratic party have the will to act. >> the upper house election in july makes this politically complicated for the ldp, but i think there needs to be some momentum. when countries assess the national power of another country, one important source of power is will power. the ability to take steps to address the national interest, to str